Nose - (w/o water) Spicy vanilla, orange zest, fresh ginger, toasted oak sugars, creme brulee, hint of sultanas (w/ water) Warm oaky vanilla, fresh ginger & orange zest, light dried stone fruits.
Taste - (w/o water) Fruity spicy vanilla, white pepper heat, orange zest, light syrupy sultanas (w/ water) Caramel, light white pepper tingle, orange zest, light bitter dried stone fruit sweet.
Finish - (w/o water) Lingering ginger/white pepper spice/heat, fruity orange zest, light oak tannins, light bitter burnt sugar sweet (w/ water) Light white pepper tingle, more fruity oaky bitter, lingering warmth.
Score - 83/100
Final Thoughts - This was an interesting one in that it wasn't quite the sherry bomb I was expecting or hoping for. This seemingly had a more balanced ex-bourbon + sherry oak feel to it. I thought the nose was better without water, had a better initial taste with water, but finished worse with water. I think the water tamed down the heat a bit but brought out some hidden bitterness that was masked by the higher proof. Overall tasty, but not as balanced as I hoped it would be.
Would I drink it if offered? - Yes
Would I specifically order it? - Maybe, if the price was right & there wasn't anything else I wanted to try
Would I buy a bottle? - Not another one